Chrome OS 59 Released: Android Apps For Select Chromebooks

Well, it’s that time again. Another release of Chrome OS is upon us and I am afraid many of you are going to be disappointed. While a select few devices have received the Play Store, they are very few and some aren’t even available to the public, yet.

The Chrome release blog has yet to list the update so we have no change log or details on what else is new. We were alerted by a reader who shot us a message on Facebook that their CB5-571 had just updated with no Play Store to be found.

I immediately switched back to Stable and sure enough, version 59. Like our Facebook friend, I also was lacking Android Apps.

Then it occurred to me to check the developers master list of devices with access to the Play Store and Android Apps. To my surprise, the list has been updated recently. Here’s a list of Chromebooks and Chrome devices with the Play Store as of version 59 and what channel you can find it on.

Stable Channel

Acer Chromebook R11

Acer Chromebook Spin 11 (not released)

AOpen Chromebos Mini

Aopen Chromebase Mini

ASUS Chromebook Flip C100

ASUS Chromebook C213 (not released)

Google Chromebook Pixel 2015

Samsung Chromebook Pro and Plus

Beta Channel

Acer Chromebook R13

ASUS Chromebook Flip C302

HP Chromebook x360 11 G1 EE

Lenovo ThinkPad 11e Chromebook (Gen 4)

Lenovo Thinkpad 11e Yoga Chromebook (Gen 4)

So, there you have it. Unless you have one of the Lenovos or the HP on this list, you likely have not received the Play Store. Keep in mind, this is the “official” developer list. It’s still worth looking around to see if you might have access to Android Apps.

The Lenovo Flex 11 I am testing has Androind 7.1.1 in the Developer channel with no extra tweaks or Dev mode. It is possible there are others that have gained the Play Store feature with this update and it’s not reflected on this list.

It is still possible that we will see the full-scale roll-out of the Play Store before version 60 lands in July but we’re not holding our breath at this point. We want it just as bad as you do but we also want it to work and work well. So, we will wait.

Check back tomorrow and see what other new features came along for the ride on Chrome OS 59.

About Gabriel Brangers

Lover of all things coffee. Foodie for life. Passionate drummer, hobby guitar player, Web designer and proud Army Veteran. I have come to drink coffee and tell the world of all things Chrome. "Whatever you do, Carpe the heck out of that Diem" - Roman poet, Horace. Slightly paraphrased.